Monday, June 20, 2011

The Golden Era Gospel Blog has learned of the death of Viola Crowley of the Clara Ward Singers. Crowley died on June 17, 2011 at the age of 89. Per Dwayne "Rowoches" Lightsey's tribute video, Crowley joined the Ward Singers in 1959 as a pianist and vocalist and remained a member until the group disbanded after Clara Ward's death in 1973. Crowley was known for her lead on songs such as "Traveling Shoes", "We're Marching Up to Zion" and "Come On In This House", among others.